For those who’re currently looking for a nice new device: shown are (from Top Left to Right):
- NovaCustom (NL)
- Star Labs (UK)
- System76 (US)
- Juno Computers (US)
- UbuntuShop (BE)
- Slimbook (ES)
- Tuxedo Computers (DE)
- Entroware (UK)
- MiniFree (UK)
- Nitrokey (DE)
- Laptops with Linux (NL)
- Purism (US)
Not mentioned but also selling Ready-to-use Linux computer:
- Dell
- Lenovo
Framework deserves a spot in that meme
Running Debian 12 on a $300 no-name chinese laptop from before the tariffs. Formatted over Windows ofc.
It rules!
Minifree! ❤
My SOs system76 had intermittent graphics issues and their tech support had hour-long calls with me over several weeks and additional emails correspondence where we did some very in-depth testing and monitoring of the machine. I think most of the testing was that their team genuinely wanted to know if it was a hardware or software issue and fix it right.
In the end they replaced the entire motherboard under warranty because they pointed out in another month and it wouldn’t be covered and it might fix it. It did.
I suspect it was just a bad Nvidia GPU. It sucks that it had the problem and that it was difficult to track down but all laptops break.
I challenge anyone to find that level of support from a Windows manufacturer without having a corporate account.
Dell’s accidental warranty used to be solid AF. I installed Eve OL beta and my graphics card cooked. (even had stripes in the bios) They replaced the entire laptop with a late model P4 of equivalent value to what I paid.
Those days are long gone, though.
Its kinda funny that when I read “hour-long wait calls” I initially thought you were complaining about being on hold for too long. I just couldn’t imagine a scenario where they were helping you the entire time and it was positive lol
You even threw the word “wait” in there independently because of your preconceptions of customer support calls
Lenovo allows now. U can opt out of windows 11 and save money. I believe they installed Ubuntu. U can reinstall with Linux mint or Pop OS if u like the feel of windows.
Apparently either Ubuntu or Fedora. Given you even save money it’s quite a good offering; although you may get better repairability or hotline support with one of the others.
I currently have a system76 (not happy, story for another time) and am in the market for a new gaming laptop this time specifically looking for amd cpu / gpu - any recommendations? I prefer Kubuntu should drivers be an issue.
If you are in the US, I’m very happy with the ROG G-series. The cooling is overengineered, they have a good community built around them (see https://gitlab.com/asus-linux/asusctl), and now they’re even offering some Strix Halo stuff, which is really awesome.
Framework is great, but I wouldn’t buy one for heavy dGPU use since the cooling is… not the best. At least not until they offer Strix Halo laptops too.
Unfortunately I’m only seeing nvidia gpu’s on those (or at least that’s only option on the US eshop filters)
Bit pricey but the Framework 16 is always a great option for the more tech inclined.
Doesn’t come with Linux by default but they support it very well and have people on staff for Linux support. You will have to install it yourself though
Thanks this looks like a great option and actually cheaper than my system76 for similar specs
Also Pine64
Missing Framework?
Not selling with Linux preinstalled.
Framework:
I just got a Zenbook Duo for work because I haul around a second monitor all the time. Debian 12 is not happy, feels like the early 2Ks as I try out mainline and other methods to get the wifi card and displays recognized. Every laptop I’ve used up to this one worked out of the box. That being said, Ubuntu may, but I’m trying to avoid the snap machine.
I think the answer is yes. Last time I did a survey of options a lot of them seemed highly unreliable. Framework was one exception but… unfortunately I think you kinda just have to like the framework idea. The massive premium you pay there just doesn’t make financial sense unless you actively (ab)use your hardware such that it might really fail within the useful lifetime of the processor. (Ie I can buy two laptops for the price of one framework, so…why not just do that if the first fails?)
PSA: My Starbook MK V has great specs but feels cheap and loses charge when closed, so it’s always empty when I need it.
(Tried all firmware updates and different distros, without success and their support isn’t of any help either. Won’t be ordering from them again.)
They’re all shitty clevo laptops
That’s not true! Some of them are Tongfang devices. 🥴
It’s true those companies have to overwhelmingly work with ODMs, doesn’t necessarily make the devices shitty though.
Starlabs design their own.
They’re also insanely expensive
Because they design their own, yes. That’s how economy of scale works.
To benefit from it you either need to sell an absurd amount of stuff or buy from those who do.
Obviously they have their reasons but few people are willing to pay a ton of money for a laptop with designs that while custom arent groundbreaking or particularly unique
I beg to differ, i have bought clevo w650sj back in the day when it was produced, it works great to this day, just added ssd and ram and it works great with opensuse tumbleweed and windows 11 dualboot, i use windows in dual boot because i need adobe and flashing software for obscure chinese phones and flashing software to revive bricked usb sticks
Well, the quality of most laptops fell enough in the last decade, that the clevos are decent now. Also, fuck thinkpad part rejection, I’m definitely not buying a (edit: new) TP.
would you mind elaborating on the part rejection? i am not sure what is meant by that
ThinkPads refuse to work with non-Lenovo batteries.
And different wwan cards. How are you supposed to add mobile broadband? Buy the same as OEM card?
Tbh I would rather a desktop and build that myself. If I wanted a laptop I would most likely be looking for very low specs and cheap, so second hand. Got a laptop with a 2011 pentium CPU somewhere and it works perfectly fine on Linux, even got a few games on it.
Drox Operative 2 runs at 60FPS, kinda makes me wish we had more 2D games these days as they can run on pretty much anything.
I’ve got a cheap refurbished ThinkPad L390 Yoga. (€180) It’s plenty powerful and the touchscreen is awesome with KDE Plasma (but only with Wayland - X11 is not built for touchscreens, it only does mouse emulation).
So apparently it’s for the Western people then. (Or I could be wrong)
I simply don’t know any vendors in Japan, Australia, India etc., but feel free to provide some!
I don’t think there are any, atleast in india. Except maybe dell and lenovo but idk if they would be any cheaper than windows ones. So I still bought cheap hp with windows
I can’t find any, hence my comment
